There are three different types of Land Use Applications. The review process requirements and timeline will depend on the type of permit application. Find more information about each application type below.

Type I Application Procedures

Type I Applications generally take 24 hours or less to review and approve.

Type II Application Procedures 

Type II Applications are processed in approximately four to six weeks. They require public notice and opportunity for appeal, but do not require a public hearing.

Type III Application Procedures

Type III Applications are processed in approximately three to four months. They require require public notice and a public hearing, and most require a neighborhood meeting.

Applying for a land use application or permit can be done in person or virtually via email.

If you’re not sure which application is right for you, give us a call and we can help.

1. Download and fill out the appropriate application for your project from the land use application and fees section. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, contact us.
   
   
2. Submit the application in person or via email to Permits@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov
   
   
3. Payment
   • Over the counter permits are typically reviewed within 24 hours, staff will send you a link to pay for permit fees and will issue the permit shortly after the payment has processed.
   • Land Use applications require review. Staff will send you a link to pay the application fee.  
     
     
4. Review - Land Use Applications
   • You will also receive a link from our ProjectDox portal to upload your application documents and plans.
     
     
5. Next Steps
   • Once you have uploaded all the required application materials and have completed your task, the review process will begin.
   • Visit the Review webpage for more information.

Land use planning manages policies, codes, standards, and procedures that govern development within the City. The City manages all land use applications for new or re-development in the City through policies, codes, standards and procedures that govern development. 

Land Use Application

The Universal Application is used to process the following land use requests.

• Annexations: Transfer jurisdiction over properties within Urban Growth Boundary from Washington County to City of Hillsboro.
  • South Hillsboro Area 2 Service Availability
    
    
• Adjustment: Does not have a stand-alone application. Check the adjustment box on your universal application. A fee will apply.
  
  
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment: Request a site-specific amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Map based on changing community conditions, needs, and desires.
  
  
• Conditional Use: Request approval of a use that requires a higher level of review because of their size operational characteristics, or other factors
  
  
• Development Review: Reviews site planning, impacts of development, transportation review, and adherence to the Zoning requirements.
  
  
• Expedited Land Division Preliminary Plat: Land divisions for residential use on land that is not mapped with Goal 5 resources.
  
  
• Expedited/Middle Housing Land Division Final Plat: Final Plat land division for Middle Housing.
  
  
• Final Plat: An application that reviews the Final Plat for any type of land partition. Once your plat has recorded, you may submit for Building Permits as allowed by our Building Permit Authorization Policy.
  
  
• Full-Dwelling Short Term Rentals: Permit for operating a short term rental where the entire dwelling is rented. See more information on the Short Term Rentals webpage. 
  
  
• Middle Housing Land Division Preliminary Plat: Partitions or subdivisions of a lot that is (1) located in a middle housing zone and (2) has been developed or approved for development for a middle housing project.
  
  
• Modification: Request to modify previously approved land use applications.
  
  
• Non-Conforming Use or Structure Expansion: Request to expand pre-existing legally compliant uses or structures.
  
  
• Partition Plat: Request to divide one parcel into two or three parcels.
  
  
• Planned Unit Development: Request flexibility, innovation, and diversity in location and design and/or special adjustments to code standards.
  
  
• Property Line Adjustment / Lot Consolidation: Request to relocate a common boundary between lots of record without creating or reducing the number of lots.
  
  
• Subdivision: Request to divide one parcel into four or more parcels.
  
  
• Significant Natural Resource Permit: Request to allow activity within the City’s Significant Natural Resource Overlay.
  
  
• Variance: Request to deviate from code standards that has a hardship component.
  
  
• Zone Change: Request a change to the Zoning Map to implement a different zoning designation for a parcel of land.
  
  
• Zoning Review:  Development of new single detached dwellings, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and middle housing units on existing lots. The Zoning Review Checklist or Zoning Review Cottage Cluster Supplemental also need to be submitted with the application.

Neighborhood Meeting Labels: Request mailing labels from the City for an applicant to mail notice to surrounding property owners advertising a meeting in which details of a land use application will be discussed ahead of submittal of that application to the City.

Residential Density Calculation Worksheet: To monitor compliance with State regulations and the Metro Functional Plan, the City must track the net densities of new residential developments in the City. This worksheet must be completed by the applicant and submitted with the preliminary application for any residential or mixed-use subdivision, planned unit development, partition, or development review approval.

This worksheet is not required for Zoning Reviews and Middle Housing Land Divisions.

• Animal Permit: Request a permit to allow chickens, bees, or livestock within City limits.

• Beekeeping Labels: Prior to applying for an Animal Permit for beekeeping, the applicant must send notification to surrounding property owners of their intent to keep bees.  The City will provide the applicant with mailing labels. 

• Fence Permit: Requesting a permit to construct a new fence or to change an existing fence within City limits.

• Cultural Resource Alteration, Nomination, or Approval: Requesting to add, alter, or remove a Cultural Resource from the City’s Cultural Resources Inventory.

• Home Occupation Permit: Request a permit to allow residents an opportunity to use their homes to conduct small-scale business activities.
  
  
• Home Occupation Permit Spanish Version

Mobile & Temporary Business Permits

• Mobile or Temporary Business: Request a permit to allow mobile or temporary businesses for limited durations. 
  
  
• Mobile or Temporary Business Spanish Version

• Temporary Use: Request a permit to allow temporary operations for limited durations.

Sidewalk Vendors

• Required if food-service operations wish to conduct businesses in the public right-of-way:

  • Brick-and-mortar food service establishments that wish to use available storefront public sidewalk space for their business (i.e., sidewalk café, tables and chairs, other equipment) 
  • Mobile push cart/food cart businesses requesting to use public sidewalk space to sell food or other items 
    
    
• Guidance and Application
  • Sidewalk Vendor Permit Application
  • Sidewalk Café Adjacent Property Owner Consent Form
  • Sidewalk/Mobile Vendor Guidance Document
  • Sidewalk Café Example Diagrams 

• Partial-Dwelling Short Term Rental: If you are renting out a portion of your dwelling, and will remain on site during the rental period

• Sign Permit: Requesting a permit to construct a new sign or to change an existing sign within City limits.

Please note sign permits could require a building permit application as well. 

The City of Hillsboro is committed to a sustainable future. In 2011 the City Council adopted an ordinance to waive permit and plan review fees associated with the installation of alternative green energy technology.

Solar Panel Installations

• Building Permit Application
• Electrical Permit Application
• Solar Oregon website

Car Charging Stations

• Electrical Permit Application

Visit the City’s Sustainability Goals & Initiatives page to learn more.

• Tree Care Permit Application: Required when planting, removing, replacing or major pruning of street trees as well as any tree care or vegetation maintenance that involves work in the public right-of-way.

Applying for a permit can be done in person or virtually via email.

1. Download and fill out the appropriate application for your project from the Applications and Checklists section below. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, contact us.
    
2. Submit the application in person or via email to Permits@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov 
   
   

3. Payment and Issuance 

   • Staff will send you a link to pay for permit or other fees.
   • If your project can be issued within 24 hours, we will issue the permit shortly after payment.
   • Plan review fees are due prior to the submittal of plans. 
     
     
4.  Review (if required)
   • If your permit requires review, staff will send you a link to start the review process.
   • Visit the review webpage for more information.

Scenarios that require permits include, but are not limited to: 

• Building a new residential home, shed or structure.
• Building an addition to a residential home, shed or structure.
• Repairing, renovating or demolishing any building or structure.
• Changing the use and/or occupancy of a building.

Trade Permits may be required if you are doing any electrical, mechanical or plumbing work. 

• Building Permit Application
• Residential Building Checklist
• Residential Site Plan Requirements
• Solar Checklist 

Please refer to the checklists, permits and applications below for submission requirements.

Electrical Permit

Required for works such as: all new construction that are served by electrical power, installation, alteration or relocation of electrical service or feeder, alteration or extensions of branch circuits, anything meeting the definition of an “electrical installation” in 479.530(10).

• Electrical Permit Application

Mechanical Permit

Required for AC replacement, duct installation, and gas piping installation.

• Mechanical Permit Application

Plumbing Permit

Required for installing new plumbing fixtures, replacing a water heater, installing or replacing a shower pan, piping inside a wall, veiling or beneath a floor.

• Plumbing Permit Application

Demolition Permit

Required for the complete removal of residential structures over 200 square feet in floor area. Removal of a portion of a structure is defined as an alteration and requires a building permit.

• Demolition Permit Application
• Demolition Checklist

Fire Suppression Permit

• Fire Suppression Permit Application

Manufactured Dwelling Permit

Required for the set or alteration of a manufactured dwelling as defined in 2010 Oregon Manufactured Dwelling Installation Specialty Code (OMDISC).

• Manufactured Dwelling Permit Application

Private Utility & Parking Lot Permit

A Private Utility Permit is required for the installation or alteration of underground utilities, site work, and ground disturbance of 1,000 square feet or more. A Parking Lot Permit is required for the building or altering of a parking lot.

This permit includes the restriping of accessible parking spaces when resurfacing or resealing an existing parking lot.

• Private Utility & Parking Lot Permit Application
• Private Utility & Parking Lot Checklist